This exam tips covers Exam Tips within Seismic Waves for GCSE Physics. Revise Seismic Waves in Waves for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 13 of 14 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
💡 Exam Tips
🎯 Common Question Types:
- Explain the S-wave shadow zone as evidence for a liquid core (4–5 marks)
- Compare properties of P-waves and S-waves (3–4 marks)
- Describe what happens to P-waves as they travel through Earth (3 marks)
- Interpret a diagram of Earth's layers (2 marks)
📝 Key Command Words:
- Explain: Give the chain of reasoning — transverse → can't pass liquid → shadow zone → outer core liquid
- Compare: Address both P and S waves for each property (type, speed, media)
- Describe: Say what happens to the waves, not just what they are
- Use evidence from the diagram: Reference specific features like shadow zones
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Saying "S-waves cannot travel through the core" without explaining WHY (transverse → liquids)
- Confusing P-waves (longitudinal) with S-waves (transverse)
- Forgetting that P-waves still refract and create a partial shadow zone (they are not blocked, just bent)
- Saying the inner core is liquid — it is solid (evidenced by P-waves passing through it)
Practice questions for Seismic Waves
What type of wave is a P-wave (primary seismic wave)?
State two differences between P-waves and S-waves in terms of how the particles move and what materials they can travel through.
Quick recall flashcards
What are P-waves?
Primary (longitudinal) seismic waves - fastest
What are S-waves?
Secondary (transverse) seismic waves - slower